Woman's body found on farm after suspected horse-riding accident

Michael Koziol

A woman's body has been found on a farm in Girvan, north of Newcastle, following what police suspect was a horse-riding accident.

A search team comprising of local police, the dog squad and a rescue helicopter had been scouring the property on Monday after a 41-year-old woman failed to show up for work. The body was discovered in a paddock at about 8.30pm on Monday evening, police said.

A horse, complete with saddle, was also located in the paddock, where a crime scene was established.

Acting Inspector Michael Magann confirmed the woman had been booked to go horse-riding on the rural property on Monday morning.

"It looks like a horse-riding accident. They will do a post mortem today," he said.

The 100-acre property where the body was found is hilly, devoid of trees and utilised for cattle-grazing.

The woman has not been formally identified but is understood to have an estranged husband in the defence force and three children.